This Weekend: Celebrate The Kentucky Derby, Stars Wars Day and Cinco de Mayo in Atlanta

May the 4th Be With You at ASW Whiskey Exchange

During the first weekend in May, niche holidays converge for celebrating and beg for festoonery. Atlanta is chock full of fun events this weekend whether you want to ignite the light saber, wager on ponies, or commemorate Mexico’s victory over France with tacos.

May the 4th be with you at ASW Whiskey Exchange. Join the fun at the new Cantina in Atlanta’s West End. The whiskey warehouse and taproom will be celebrating all things Star Wars from 1 to 8 pm on Saturday as they join forces with neighbor Monday Night Garage. Show up in costume and receive three free drink tokens (with purchase of two) and a chance to win an assortment of prizes. In what month were all six original Star Wars films released? Answer questions like this during Star Wars trivia from 3-5 pm. There will be screening of various films in the barrel room throughout the day while you sip on themed cocktails like the Bantha mule. There wont be any Tevraki whiskey but you can sample your way through ASW’s lineup.

The 145th Run for the Roses, known as the “greatest two minutes in sports,” happens on Saturday, May 4 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY. It’s a day long on tradition. Livingston at the 107-year-old Georgian Terrace Hotel is also steeped in history. Wear your seersucker and sip on derby themed cocktails while viewing all the live action from the Kentucky Derby at their viewing party beginning at 3 PM. Besides mint juleps, their “Run Pony Run” is on the menu, stirring together whiskey, Aperol, bitters and lemon.

Midtown’s new City Tap has plenty of screens to view the pony action. They are also hosting a hat contest, race day games with prizes, and Derby themed cocktails along with their giant collection of brews on tap.

City Tap. 848 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 470-990-7114, citytap.com.

Inman Quarter’s Hampton + Hudson hosts its annual Talk Derby to Me party beginning at noon on Saturday, May 4. Dress in your Derby finery or accessorize with their box of goodies and head to the photo booth to commemorate the day. They will have race day coverage inside and out, a rosé bar, and contest for best hat. Long Range Toddy, one of the contenders, would make a great themed chapeau.

Even the name of the restaurant is perfect for Derby Day. The Southern Gentleman at Shops of Buckhead Atlanta will have the Derby showing on multiple screens with a Derby hat contest, best dressed competition, and small bites. They will be serving up Derby Day inspired cocktails like The Spire with Woodford Reserve bourbon, lemonade, cranberry, and a lemon twist. Each guest will receive a branded julep cup to take home.

Sunday marks the Cinco de Mayo holiday for the Mexican community, but it is more popular in the US than in Mexico. Before the celebration, let’s clear up a common misconception: Cinco de Mayo in not Mexican Independence Day (that falls on Sept, 16). The May 5th holiday celebrates the victory of the Mexican Army against the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

Celebrate the day with the flavors of Mexico on your plate and in a glass. Did you know the margarita’s creation dates back to 1942 in a cantina in Chihuahua, Mexico? Muchacho will be serving them along with buckets of Tecate beer on Sunday. May 5. From 2-7 PM they host their Backyard Boogie Series with a nacho bar featuring meats smoked on their Big Green Eggs, Rancho Gordo beans and rice, and elote.

Chilaquiles is a traditional breakfast dish in Mexico, with toppings piled upon lightly fried corn tortillas cut into quarters. Wrecking Bar and Brewpub is serving them topped with cumin scented black beans, smoked mushrooms, and avocado crema. They will also have fresh gorditas on the menu. For the occasion they are bringing back a favorite brew. Beginning at noon, sip on their chocolately Mexican Siberius Maximus Russian Imperial Stout as well as Casa Bonita Mexican dark lager.